Jowai, Jan 24: The Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) organised the distribution of farm machinery and agri response vehicles (ARVs) under the Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (CDP) for West Jaintia Hills.
The programme was held on Thursday at Laskein and was funded by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) and state Planning Department.
Raliang MLA Comingone Ymbon was chief guest while F Passah, Assistant Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills, was the guest of honour.
A total of 111 farm machinery and seven ARVs were distributed to the beneficiaries under the cluster. These assets will support farmers by providing access to farm machinery at affordable hiring rates through the 12 Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) established in the cluster.
The seven ARVs will also provide affordable and efficient logistics services, enabling farmers to transport produce to packhouses, processing units, markets and other preferred destinations, a press release informed.
In his speech, Ymbon drew attention to Lakadong turmeric, which is well known in the area for its superior quality, and stressed the need to carefully maintain its standard while processing, including proper packing to preserve the turmeric’s distinctiveness.
The MLA also called for collective efforts from villages to keep the roads, public spaces, especially the whole of Kupli tourist spot and other tourist spots clean.
